A HEARTLESS thief stole a three-month-old pup from the garden of its disabled owner.

Tess – a jet black Patterdale Terrier – was a surprise 40th birthday present to epilepsy sufferer Dominic Queen in March this year. And the dog instantly became the Motherwell man’s best friend.

However, last Tuesday, while the family bathed in the May sunshine, a cowardly thief reached over their garden fence and nabbed the pup, leaving Dominic and his family distraught.

Dominic’s mum Margaret lives with her son in their Watsonville Place home.

Fighting back tears, she recounted: “Our next door neighbour was at his window and he actually watched this guy walk up to the fence, reach over and start playing with Tess, then – as cool and calm as you like – just lift her up and walk away with her down the street.

“We’re absolutely heartbroken about it. Dominic’s diabetic and epileptic so he doesn’t get out and about. We thought we’d get him Tess for his birthday as a wee pal. He loved her so much.

“She was absolutely beautiful. The whole street were her pals. She just ran up to everyone and they all instantly fell in love with her.”

Margaret’s neighbour described the cowardly thief as tall with dark hair.

“Cruel. Heartless. That’s the only way you can describe him,” said Margaret.

“What kind of mind does someone have to do this to a family? She was loved so much and has just been lifted and taken away from us. Every now and again I’ll hear Dominic shouting ‘Tess!, Tess!’ I know he’s missing her. We all are.”

The family have contacted the police and put up their own £250 reward for Tess’s safe return.

Jacqueline Mitchell, Dominic’s sister, said: “I’d empty my bank book if I thought we could get her back in the garden.

“We just want her back so, so much. There will be no repercussions for this guy who stole her – if he just gives her back we’ll forgive and forget. Just even come back and put her in the garden or bring her back and we’ll give you the money.

“Dominic’s been so upset by it. He’s gone back into himself and has been really quiet, asking only where his puppy is. My mum’s been really upset too. The two of them don’t have an awful lot and that wee puppy brought a lot of joy to them.

“If anyone’s noticed a puppy in the area that they’ve not seen before then please contact the police.”

Tess was taken at around 3pm from 23 Watsonville Park, Motherwell, last Tuesday (May 22). She is jet black with a pink collar with her name and the family’s phone number scribed onto it. She has also been micro-chipped.

“Walking in the house now you feel like you’ve lost a part of your family,” said Jacqueline. “It’s heartbreaking. We’re absolutely distraught here.”